The US has accused South Africa's defence ministry of refusing to obey orders from its own government to send home Iranian warships that have been conducting naval exercises in the African country's waters.
South Africa can't lecture the world on 'justice' while cozying up to Iran, it said in a statement.
In response, South Africa's defence ministry stated that it was launching an inquiry to investigate these serious allegations.
Washington has criticized South Africa for inviting Iran at a moment when a brutal crackdown against protests was unfolding in the Middle Eastern country.
It specified that the South African military's actions did not reflect 'non-alignment' but were essentially a 'choice to stand with Iran'.
This is absolutely no surprise. Protests against the Iranian regime are happening right now, human rights organisations here in SA have been calling for support for the protesters, noted William Gumede, an associate professor at the University of Witwatersrand.
On social media, the US embassy in South Africa expressed concern and alarm regarding reports of the country's defence minister and forces defying orders to request Iran's departure. The embassy declared Iran's participation in the drills as undermining maritime security and regional stability.
South African Defence Minister Angie Motshekga clarified that President Cyril Ramaphosa's directives were clearly communicated and would be enforced.
The naval exercises, dubbed 'Peace Resolve', began last Friday and are led by China, including other members from the Brics+ alliance, signaling a broader geopolitical alignment.
Iranian warships arrived in Cape Town shortly before the directive to turn them around was issued.
